A few days ago I shared mytips for organizing the master closetbut I left out the latest and greatest addition to my closet – Xangar hanger spacers . Every year I go through my wardrobe and I try to get rid of items that I no longer use, at least I thought that’s what I was doing. You see, I was really only making enough space for my items to fit and not be stuffed in the closet, but once I achieved that, I wouldn’t make a final push to get rid of unnecessary items. Although I thought I was ruthless in my approach to streamlining my wardrobe, I was really ignoring a lot of clothes that needed to go but they stayed. They stayed because I loved the item, they used to fit me well, I wished they fit me well, items I paid a lot for but no longer used… they stayed in the closet because they fit in the closet and it’s not like I needed to make space for anything else.

I was introduced toXangar hanger spacerslast year and I thought I would give them a try. I have to admit that I first thought, “won’t they take up additional space in my closet?” and the answer is yes – they took up space but what they gave me in return was greater. Since I knew I was adding the spacers, I went item-by-item and got rid of so much clothing! So much! They were items that I had not worn in years and were just in my closet because there was space for them and no other reason. I donated all those items and I instantly felt so much better about not housing so many unused pieces of clothing.

Perfectly Organized

When I added the Xangar hanger spacers, a pet peeve of mine was fixed and that’s how hangers are never perfectly separated and would sometimes overlap. This would sometimes make me pull out more than one item at a time. I realize that this is not a “real” problem and there are more important things in life (like dark chocolate with hazelnuts) but still, it was annoying and now everything was perfectly spaced. #OrganizationNirvana

BEFORE:

(Picture taken with my cell phone)

AFTER:

I also love how when I pull an item out, it slides out with ease without catching on other items. It is just as easy to put back and the spacer makes it obvious where the item needs to be returned to. Shirts or pants that have a tendency to wrinkle, are no longer crushed between other items of clothing.

Color-code your closet

I have always been a fan of organizing my clothing by color, which is time consuming the first time you do it, but so easy to maintain afterwards. Not to mention, color coding makes your space look instantly more organized. I also created zones with my spacers by using 2 colors, gray and silver. Most of my hangers are thin black plastic hangers and I used the Xangar dark gray color spacers in between them. I use white kid hangers for my pants (so that they don’t stick out) and the silver helps to set that section apart. Of course, you can add more colors and more zones, but two were enough for me.

I chose to leave the area with my coats without the spacers. My jackets take up enough space in between the others to act as natural spacers anyway and let’s face it, I live in Miami and that are of my closet will gather dust before I need a coat.

How the spacers work.

The spacers are made out of a foam (but sturdy) material and are really easy to install. There is no need to remove the rod as they easily slide into place. They are 1/2 in wide and 1 5/16 in deep.

Helps to keep myself accountable for the amount of items in my closet.

My closet was already organized before I added these spacers, but they definitely took things up a few notches and made it look even neater! The spacers made me sort through all my clothing (I even tried on all my pants – God help me) and I was able to limit the items that I kept in my closet, to those that I actually used and wanted. These spacers keep me accountable for the one-in-one-out rule which is a really good thing.

This is definitely one of those “why didn’t I think of that?!” products that are a genius solution and simple to use. If you are looking for a neat, sleek and minimalistic look for your closet, give them a try!

It’s not the first time that I post about my master closet but I have added some little touches and kept the systems that already worked.

Sort and Donate

This is always how any organization project should begin. There are always a ton of items that I get rid of when I set my mind to it. I try to donate anything that doesn’t fit, doesn’t fit well or I no longer like. It’s even a good idea to go through I items again, even after you think are you are done sorting.

A Place to Sit

I like having a little stool in the closet to sit on while I try on shoes. I used to have a different one before but this one is smaller and works better in this narrow space. I found this one at Target.

Adding a Valet Rod

Thisclothing valethas been one of the best things about this closet. I use it to set aside my outfit for the next day, when I am sorting clothing or trying on multiple items.

Adjusting shelves

I really take advantage of the adjustable shelves to make them work for me and customized to all the items that I own. That means that some of my shelves are really narrow, like the ones that hold my sandals.

Create a vignette

I don’t have space for a large vignette but I do like leaving a shelf semi-open and housing only a few items. Here I added one of my favorite purses, a bracelet holder and a little plant. The addition of the plant makes a huge different in livening up the space. Also, a vignette breaks up the monotony of shelf-after-shelf with shoes and purses.

Lots of bling, lots of fake.

Tie rack as a necklace holder

I have quite a few long necklaces that tend to tangle easily, andthis tie rackworks perfectly to keep them organized and tangle-free.

Placing a dresser inside the closet

I have an IKEA dresser inside my closet and the closet system is built around that dresser. I think it gave the closet a more finished look, while adding a lots more storage for my t-shirts and shorts.

Organize sunglasses and bracelets

Last year I posted about how I organize my sunglasses. This system still works for me. It is great for inexpensive sunglasses that don’t come with a case.

On the other side of the dresser, I have a little bowl with my hoop earrings, which is mostly what I wear.

Organize rings

A little ring plate sits on the dresser which is where I place the rings that I wear most often. Can you believe that small holder was a little over 4.00 at Target. Love those clearance items!

The rest of my rings are onthis ring display. I purchased 2 of them to hold all my rings. Above my rings is a little shelf that holds all my perfume. I wear perfume everyday whether I am working from home or heading out with the boys. I know some people have a signature scent that they like, but I like changing it up and trying new perfumes.

I know that it’s not easy to take the time to go through all the items in your closet, but it is so worth it. I hope this encourages you to go through your closet and streamline your items. It’s a great feeling to walk into an organized closet every morning!

I shared details about my closet here and how I display my jewelry, but there were still a few accessories that needed attention…my sunglasses. Organizing sunglasses may sound a little silly but since many of my sunglasses don’t even come with a case. Long gone are the days that I would spend beaucoup bucks on sunglasses! After having kids I find that getting them in and out of the car, in and out of the supermarket cart can often result in my sunglasses taking a dive! This past Christmas my husband gave me a beautiful pair of Ray Bans (with a case, of course) and I love them and take care of them as best I can, but I often grab for a cheaper pair when I head out. And the cheaper pairs were…everywhere! They didn’t have a spot and if I bought cases for them, I knew I wouldn’t even remember what they looked like – meaning I wouldn’t wear them.

When I finished my closet, I wanted to keep it simple and functional so I hesitated to use that free little wall space beside the mirror – but function won over simplicity as if often the case with me.

I had this idea a while back to place a pair of my sunglasses on a hook that I had in the bathroom to see if they would hold in place and they did! So I purchased these Command hooks which were small and clear and perfect for that narrow space. I purchased them on Amazon but Walmart and Target also carry them.

I didn’t really measure because I’m bad like that…bad as in good.

Anyway, their placement wasn’t perfect but the sunglasses would cover them anyway. Maybe I’m not that “bad” after all.

I chose to hang my sunglasses facing forward.

But you can also hang them this way. Just choose the way that they feel more secure.

What do you think?

Yes, they made the area a little busier but it solved an annoying problem in 2 minutes flat. Also, since the command hooks are removable, I am not committed to this solution forever. Maybe I am a little bad. Just a tiny bit.

Do you have a similar organizing issue with sunglasses or do you limit yourself to one or two pair?

Storing or Organizing chunky necklaces is challenging, at least it was for me. I don’t wear too much jewelry but I do like statement pieces. I own large rings and I love how a chunky necklace can elevate any outfit. I have had a standup jewelry case for years and although it works for some of my jewelry, my necklaces were becoming a tangled mess.

Since I had some empty wall space in my closet, I decided to dedicate that area to my necklaces. The first thing I did was purchase this tie rack on Amazon and that took care of most of my necklaces. A tie rack is perfect because it has so many spots to place necklaces individually.

I then added some mix-matched hooks from the Young House Love line at Target. I don’t think Target stores carry them anymore but they still have a few here online.

One of the hooks was perfect for small chains.

And of course, like with any project, I brought in some “pretty” in the form of a little plant.

Now that I can see my necklaces displayed, I will wear them more often. Maybe I will wear one today. Or maybe I will stay in my pj’s until noon. Or maybe I will wear one over my reindeer pajama shirt. Yup, that’s what I will do.

Happy organizing!

Maria

~ This posts contains links, a few are affiliate links. As always, thank you for your support of Graceful Order!

I shared the before-and-after of my master bedroom closet last year, but I have added some features that I wanted to share with you. You can transform your closet by learning how to best use the space you have. Organizing your closet will also simplify your morning routine.

I am a stay-at-home mom, and I am not very adventurous with my wardrobe. I basically wear jeans and a t-shirt everyday (not the same one!) with minimal accessories, except for the weekend when I put forth more effort. I like dressing down and I like dressing up.

When I do dress up, I like options! I like my closet to look like a mini-boutique. Because I am girlie, I am just not fussy.

Start by sorting your pieces. Sort your items and get rid of things that you know you will never wear again. Items, even expensive, good quality ones get faded, they pill, they eventually look dated. Donate them or toss them if they are in bad shape. That way you can make room in your closet for the items that you wear and love. There is no sense in having a crowded closet, when you can get rid of items that you don’t like or use. Having space between your clothing even makes putting away laundry easier.

Display your favorite pieces. Most of my jewelry is costume jewelry and I have a lot of it. I have a stand alone jewelry armoire in my bedroom, but nothing compares to actually seeing my options when I am getting dolled-up. One of my favorite buys is this jewelry display. I find that I use my bracelets and watches so much more after I added it to my closet, and doesn’t it look like a store display? Love that.

And a ring display, actually I bought two. These are all faux pieces. If they weren’t, I would be blogging from my private jet. I would still be blogging though…I love it that much!

3. Add a garment valet rod. This one fit right into the pre-drilled holes in my closet system, so that I can put outfits together (when I take the time to do that) or even when I am putting away laundry, and I just want to get shirts on a hanger before the wrinkles set in.

It tucks right in, when not in use.

4. Color-code your wardrobe….Game Changer! This takes a while the first time you do it, but you will save so much time when you are getting dressed. Also, putting away laundry is faster when you know where everything belongs.

5. Laundry Folding Board for perfectly folded shirts. Honestly, I don’t use this board for my clothing since I hang up most items. I do use a laundry folding board for my husband, because he has so many t-shirts. It keeps all his shirts looking great in his closet. If you fold your shirts, it’s a must for the department-store-perfect-fold look. I found mine in The Container Store but I couldn’t find it there now, so here is a similar folding board on Amazon.

6. Invest in thin hangers (whether plastic or flocked). This will give you so much more room! Wood hangers are beautiful and they are great for suits, but they are also bulky. If you are looking to make space, thin hangers are the way to go.

7. Use a tie rack to display necklaces. Bulky necklaces are really fashionable right now and tie racks are perfect for holding larger jewelry pieces. It also keeps them from getting tangled.

8. Bring a dresser into your closet. When I shared about our master bedroom, I mentioned that we opted for a sitting area as opposed to a dresser. Adding a small dresser inside the closet definitely made up for the storage we lost in the bedroom. This dresser is from IKEA and it is topped with glass (sold separately at IKEA) so I don’t have to worry about it getting scratched. Plus, I think it looks nicer with the glass topper.

The rest of the cabinetry was built around that dresser.

9. Add a mirror to your closet. I could have added more cabinetry above the dresser, but I am so glad that I didn’t. Even a small mirror can make your closet look larger. I didn’t have space for a full-length mirror, but even this little one did the trick. I can also try on my accessories in the closet, which wasn’t possible before.

10. Use kid hangers for your pants to save space. I used to use regular sized hangers for my pants, and they would take up so much space. One day I tried using hangers from my son’s closet and they were a perfect fit! I bought a couple of sets for myself. I will be honest, I am not a fan of felt hangers. I don’t like how they cling to clothes (which I get, is the point) but for pants I did prefer the felt, it keeps the pants from sliding.

These are my favorite tips and products for transforming a closet! The key in organizing your closet is to capitalize on using all the space available, but the key to transforming it, involves a little bling.

I hope you all enjoyed this tour of my closet and I would love to hear from you. What are your favorite closet organizing tips?

♥

Maria

~ This posts contains links, a few are affiliate links. As always, thank you for your support of Graceful Order!

Getting shelving installed in the master closets has been on the “honey-do-list” since we moved in 9 years ago.

In the meantime, I had a mix-matched “system” of shelves that were on clearance at some point and I tried to do the best with what I had.

Earlier this month, we finally gave ourselves the green light to move forward with my closet. My husbands closet will wait a bit.

Here is a before picture.

The shelves were dark and made the space look smaller and as you can see I didn’t have enough shelves for my things. It was organized chaos. Nothing “Graceful” going on in there!

I got everything out of the closet. The perfect opportunity to get rid of items that needed to be tossed or donated. Needless to say my room was a mess for days.

I knew I wanted to paint the closet walls since I had chosen white cabinetry. My husband tried to “sell” me on the idea that we should leave it white. He is smart and avoids having to pull out the big ladder.

I told him not to worry for one minute. I would paint the closet all by myself. ALL. BY. MYSELF.

So he helped me by patching up the holes in the closet, which were many.

As soon as that dried, I happily embarked on my painting project!

The color that I chose was Behr’s Graceful Gray. It really was my favorite gray and the name was a total coincidence!

I have painted walls on my own before so I wasn’t at all intimidated. I painted the bottom of the wall and then pulled out the ladder and started on the trim.

And then…I ran out of steam with two walls left.

So I did what any sensible woman with a good amount of self-respect does. I walked into the kitchen and sighed (really loudly) for my husband to hear and he immediately turned around and said “are you done already?!”

And that’s when I whined…ALOT. I am not above whining.

And it worked. He loves me. That man loves me.

I kept doing the trim but he helped me with the roller which was great because my arms were hurting so much! So we were done in no time.

We just waited until the next morning when the cabinetry was scheduled to be installed. I couldn’t wait!

I was so happy to see it come together!

I left a big space on top of the small dresser (from IKEA that we had previously to the install) so that I could add a big mirror and bring a little charm to the closet!

The dresser looked like part of the cabinetry that had just been installed. I was so happy that it was a perfect match!

I found this little tray for rings and I thought it was perfect.

And it looked great alongside the little plant from IKEA.

Time to add the clothing!

I added them in a color coordinated manner which is how I had the closet before. It takes a while to do initially but it makes the closet look so much better and its easier to find what you need.

All my hangers are from Crate and Barrel. I am not a fan of felt hangers. I prefer smooth hangers so that clothing slides off easily. These are slim, plastic and really inexpensive.

Shoes that were rarely worn I placed in these boxes from Target. They are from the Threshold line.

The rest of my shoes are in the very center of the closet.

I did have to get rid of some of my shoes in order for them to fit but it pushed me to purge items that had been taking up space in my closet for years!

Am I the only one whose feet have grown after having kids? I used to be a size 7 and now I am a 7 1/2.

I wanted a chair or a bench to sit on while I put on my shoes and this one was large and small enough for the space. Also, it is extremely light-weight and easy to move about.

In the top I have a couple of bins. I labeled the shelf instead of the bin.

One has belts.

Small scarves or fabric belts.

My purses also have their own spot.

I folded over some of them in order to fit more per shelf.

I now have a belt rack attached to the cabinet.

This frame was definitely the finishing touch. I had it for years tucked away behind a couch and I spray painted the frame to match the rest of the closet.

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Welcome! I'm Maria, the blogger behind Graceful Order. I hope to share with you helpful ideas about organizing, cleaning and entertaining. I am passionate about living a healthy, balanced life with my husband and two boys. A life where I am in charge of my home and not the other way around. A life with a little bit of order, and a whole lot of grace!